Health care administrators don't take vital stats, diagnose diseases or do surgeries. But they're just as important to patient well-being as any nurse or doctor. Health care managers with a master's degree are in an even better position to help patients. Administrators with advanced education can lead hospitals, private practices, nursing homes or insurance companies. As leaders in any health-related clinic or company, administrators set policies, raise funds and guarantee quality of care. In short, they keep the health care system humming.

Hospitals

With a master’s degree, you’re on track for a position in mid-level or executive hospital management. You could lead a department, with duties such as planning budgets, evaluating staff, writing policies and overseeing quality and patient services. Or, you could serve as director of marketing, public relations or fund-raising and development. At a large hospital, expect to start with one department and work your way up to high-level positions such as chief executive. A smaller hospital setting entails more responsibilities. You could act as liaison between governing boards and staffs, attend fund-raisers and conventions and stay on top of advances in medical equipment and treatments.

Private Practice

Doctors’ offices need administrators with an advanced degree to supervise the practice. As a clinic manager, you’ll study patient systems, such as scheduling protocols, to boost operating efficiencies and improve patient satisfaction. You might also monitor the practice for potential medical risks and develop plans to cut those potential problems. Plus, private practices operate under laws and regulations that differ from those that govern hospitals and other providers, and it’s the manager’s job to understand and implement those standards. Other duties include management of finances, human resources and information technology.

Nursing Homes

Many nursing home administrators get their start as registered nurses, but they add a master’s in health care administration to manage a home. Like other administrators, nursing-home managers supervise personnel, handle financial matters and determine quality of care. But they deal with those responsibilities with an eye on the aging process and its inherent conditions. What’s more, they need to know the ins and outs of billing for government-paid services, because almost all of their patients are on federal insurance programs. It’s also their job to take care of licensure, certification and accreditation reports. In addition to a master’s degree, nursing-home administrators often earn a certificate in home management.

Insurance Companies

Insurance carriers start master’s graduates in mid-level management, in jobs such as director of marketing and sales or in department management. At the senior level, administrators can become CEOs, chief operating officers or chief financial officers. Or, they can lead contract management and negotiations, managed care or regional clinical services. To make it to the C-suite, you’ll likely need at least 10 years of experience in addition to a master’s. Insurance carriers also look for administrators with a financial background, communications skills, analytical skills and team-building skills.

Other Employers

You could opt for a career in unconventional workplaces. Government agencies need health care administrators with advanced degrees to help educate providers in rules and regulations, or to coordinate public health departments. Hospices hire them as organizations managers. Other employers include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical equipment manufacturers and substance abuse treatment centers.